OHA to host flood relief outreach events on Kauaʻi

KAUAʻI (June 14, 2018) – The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) will host three events on Kauaʻi this week that will provide opportunities for Native Hawaiians to learn about the flood relief initiatives of OHA as well as of various state, county and non-profit entities.

On Friday, June 15, OHA staff will be at two separate sites (Kanuikapono Charter School in Anahola and Kōloa Neighborhood Center) for one hour during pau hana to conduct intake for and provide information on OHA’s flood relief initiatives.

OHA is collaborating with Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi to distribute $200,000 in OHA funds to Native Hawaiian households affected by the April 2018 flooding. The one-time emergency financial assistance may be used for food, clothing, medicine, or other materials; emergency housing; medical and related services; transportation; and dependent child or elder care. In addition, OHA has allocated $50,000 to assist kalo farmers affected by the flooding and is also offering disaster relief loans. Please visit www.oha.org/kauai for more information.

Furthermore, OHA is holding a resource fair at Hanalei Elementary School on Saturday, June 16, to provide beneficiaries with information on the flood relief services of various county, state and non-profit entities. Confirmed participants include: OHA, County of Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency, County of Kauaʻi Agency on Elderly Affairs, Kauaʻi American Job Center, several state Department of Health divisions, state Department of Human Services, Habitat for Humanity, Samaritan’s Purse, Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, Hoʻola Lāhui Hawaiʻi and the Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center.

Finally, the OHA Board of Trustees will hold its annual community and board meetings on Kauaʻi next week. These meetings will provide members of the Kauaʻi community with the opportunity to communicate their manaʻo directly to trustees.